HDPE Pipe (High-Density Poly-Ethylene) material is a polyethylene thermoplastic made from petroleum. Its high level of impermeability and strong molecular bond makes it suitable for high-pressure pipelines.
You’ll find HDPE pipe across the globe in:
- water mains,
- gas mains,
- sewer mains,
- slurry transfer lines,
- agricultural irrigation,
- fire system supply lines,
- electrical and communications conduit,
- stormwater and drainage pipes,
- Geothermal heating and cooling,
- natural gas distribution systems,
- and other fields of water supply and drainage systems.
HDPE pipe is very durable and flexible and can be bent on site to a radius 25x the nominal pipe diameter – at or below 20°C ambient temperature. As a result, this provides significant cost savings when compared to different pipe systems. Some of which require glued fittings, restraints or thrust blocks for even minor changes in direction.
The pipes are workable within the range of -40°C to 60°C therefore Pipeline embrittlement will not occur during installation in winter. Although HDPE is often estimated to last 50 years, although experts say they are more likely to have life expectancies of 100 years.
Virgin food-grade polyethylene material is used to fabricate HDPE pipes, and as a result, they are safe for the transfer of potable water. It is also resistant to many chemicals, promoting its use in process plants or around corrosive or acidic environments. All this without needing to pay for protective coatings or galvanizing, as is required on steel pipes! As HDPE has a very low thermal conductivity, it can maintain more uniform temperatures compared to metal pipes. When carrying fluids, this will significantly reduce any need for insulation to control condensation around the pipeline.